Are You Afraid of Snakes? A Doctor’s Exploration of Alternative Medicine, by C. Scott Mahan

The many books comparing alternative medicine to Western medicine tend to be biased in one direction or the other. Are You Afraid of Snakes? A Doctor’s Exploration of Alternative Medicine offers a balanced view. C. Scott Mahan, M.D., an infectious disease specialist, is co-author of the best-selling "Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple." Are You Afraid of Snakes? describes his 5-year medical journey from Africa to Appalachia, as he encounters many alternative approaches to medicine (voodoo, naturopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture, hot yoga, barefoot running, performance enhancing drinks, titanium necklaces, magnets, hypnosis, detoxification diets, and ayurvedic medicine). Dr. Mahan relates his personal and often humorous experiences in the dual worlds of alternative and Western medicine. He offers an unbiased analysis and opinion of the differing approaches to medicine. 257 pgs; ebook $9.99; print book $16.95.

Allergy and Asthma Made Ridiculously Simple, by Massoud Mahmoudi

Allergy and Asthma Made Ridiculously Simple is a brief, clear, and practical guide to the diagnosis and treatment of allergies and asthma. Dr. Mahmoudi practices internal medicine, allergy, and immunology in California. He has published or edited numerous scientific papers and 9 books related to allergy and immunology, including the best-selling "Immunology Made Ridiculously Simple." He was a medical columnist for local newpapers and the San Francisco Chronicle, has spoken locally and nationally on allergy and immunology, and appeared on local television and Fox News. Dr. Mahmoudi is currently president of the American Osteopathic College of Allergy and Immunology and on the faculties of the University of California San Francisco, Rowan University, and Touro University. 72 pgs; $22.95.